"Don't worry, no matter what, I will take you out of this Phantom Star Hall today." Li Xuan looked at Ye Xinghai's teasing expression and immediately said to Liu Yue.
"How many years has it been? I never thought the first person to speak boastfully in front of me would be you, a youngster." Ye Xinghai glanced at Li Xuan expressionlessly.
"I'm sorry, I've held you back," Liu Yue said, looking at Li Xuan.
"Don't be so disheartened. Aren't you just one of those five people who narrowly escaped death? Don't worry." Li Xuan smiled slightly, showing no concern.
"Truly arrogant." Ye Xinghai's pupils contracted, and his gaze shifted to the Master Sword in Li Xuan's hand.
"Even I cannot discern its grade. This is quite interesting." Ye Xinghai was shocked upon seeing it.
"It seems you too have moments of surprise." Li Xuan noticed the change in Ye Xinghai's expression.
"Such a divine artifact should not fall into the hands of a mortal like you; it's a waste of nature's bounty. Hand it over to me obediently." With that said, Ye Xinghai flashed forward and appeared before Li Xuan. His hand shot out, grabbing for the Master Sword, his eyes gleaming with greed.
"Let me see if your claws are harder, or my sword is harder!" Li Xuan sneered and slashed towards Ye Xinghai's hand.
*Boom.*
With a roar, Ye Xinghai was forced back five steps instantly, while Li Xuan retreated a full ten steps.
Li Xuan's expression turned solemn as he realized how powerful Ye Xinghai was.
"Eh!" Li Xuan's sharp eyes spotted a drop of blood trickling from Ye Xinghai's hand, falling to the ground with a 'drip'.
"It seems you are not unscathed either." Li Xuan rejoiced at the sight, his grip on the Master Sword tightening.
"How many years has it been? You are the first person to injure me. Very good, very good. To achieve this with only the cultivation of the God Extinguishing realm is something you can be proud of. As the first person to wound me, I shall reward you with the choice of your death."
Ye Xinghai sneered, his gaze on the Master Sword growing more intense.
"Keep this reward for yourself," Li Xuan quipped, unleashing another sword strike, this time with his full might.
Sword Array Technique, fifty-three thousand strikes.
*Rumble.*
Ye Xinghai instantly dodged Li Xuan's attack. However, the celestial prison behind him trembled violently, and a chasm split open. Despite evading the blow, Ye Xinghai's expression was extremely grave.
"I'd like to see how long you can dodge," Li Xuan said, swinging the Master Sword towards Ye Xinghai again.
Damn it! Ye Xinghai was forced to dodge once more.
*Puff.*
"Boy, you have successfully angered me!" Ye Xinghai had evaded Li Xuan's attacks seven times. On the eighth strike, the sword landed heavily on Ye Xinghai's abdomen and below. His brows visibly furrowed for a moment.
As Ye Xinghai spoke, a fierce wind suddenly whipped up around them, surging towards Li Xuan.
"Divine Ability - Tempest!"
Ye Xinghai slowly floated up, and before Li Xuan could launch his ninth strike, he unleashed his divine ability.
Li Xuan retreated rapidly, but the surrounding wind, like a tangible entity, relentlessly pursued him.
Dodging is clearly not an option. Then you shall experience my divine ability as well. Li Xuan's thoughts raced, and he stopped, pointing a finger at Ye Xinghai.
"Divine Ability, Samsara!"
*Ying.*
As Li Xuan spoke, the howling wind around them ceased and then slowly dissipated. Liu Yue was stunned, witnessing the man's possession of such a profound divine ability.
What!
What is this boy's origin!
He too possesses a divine ability!
And he broke my divine ability!
Not only Liu Yue but Ye Xinghai was also shocked. Seeing his divine ability nullified, he could no longer remain calm.
Not good!
Ye Xinghai suddenly felt something strange within him. He immediately circulated his spiritual energy to seal it. However, as his spiritual energy deepened, the mysterious energy within remained unaffected, while his own spiritual energy slowly dissipated.
"You! What kind of divine ability is this!" Ye Xinghai, watching his internal spiritual energy rapidly vanish, and his skin begin to age, roared in terror.
"A divine ability that can kill," Li Xuan replied faintly. His once rosy face was now extremely pale.
Although it appeared ordinary, Li Xuan's mind was turbulent. He hadn't expected the Samsara divine ability to be so domineering. It not only countered Ye Xinghai's Tempest but also entered his body, dissolving all his spiritual energy into its most primal form.
This single divine ability had drained all his spiritual energy, a testament to its overwhelming power.
It seems this divine ability is even more potent than my sword strikes, Li Xuan mused.
"Young master, if you cultivate the way of the sword to its extreme, no divine ability will affect you. True powerful sword cultivators are the pinnacle," the Heavenly Dao Brush chimed in.
Li Xuan nodded in realization. While divine abilities were formidable, they were merely his strongest means at present.
However, draining his entire spiritual energy in one go meant he should avoid using it unless absolutely necessary.
With that thought, Li Xuan's gaze fell upon Ye Xinghai, who lay collapsed on the ground.
"You're in so much pain, I'll send you on your way!" Li Xuan declared, launching a punch at Ye Xinghai.
"Stop!"
Just as Li Xuan threw his punch, a voice echoed from the void. Immediately, a figure shot out and, with a wave of his hand, nullified Li Xuan's attack.
Li Xuan's pupils contracted. Another powerhouse had arrived.